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IN 2006, WHEN people of all fitness levels got their first and, until tomorrow, only chance to run through Dublin’s Port Tunnel, it appeared that they were at risk of being outnumbered by the cranes on the horizon.
Buildings were still being built and the boom that Bertie had spoken of was, by all accounts, still getting boomier.
The only light at the end of the tunnel that was on the minds of the near 10,000 runners who ran that day was the literal one, which came at both the five kilometre mark – when participants exited the North tunnel onto the N1, before entering the southbound tunnel – and the 10 kilometre mark.
Fast forward six years and the phrase has since taken on an all too figurative meaning, with many of tomorrow’s runners at the Dublin Port Tunnel run hoping to see some light at the end of their own personal tunnels.
Before that, however, they have a run to complete unlike any other.
While the luxury of having near constant cover may sound like the perfect solution to Ireland’s weather, running in a tunnel creates an altogether different problem in the form of body heat and recycled air aplenty.
Tomorrow’s Dublin Port Tunnel run is set to add an extra level of difficulty for those who find mini-marathons all too achievable, while at the same time raising funds for Focus Ireland.
For those who can’t make it (you can register right up until tomorrow morning), the below video offers an insight into what it felt like back in 2006, complete with the obligatory Olé, Olé, Olé at the end.
(ricmurphy/YouTube)
If that video has left you feeling inspired but still unavailable, all that lies between you and a similar experience is a plane ticket and some spontaneity.
Liverpool, England
The Queensway Tunnel, which runs under Liverpool’s River Mersey, forms part of the course for this year’s Liverpool marathon which takes place on 14 October.
The Queensway Tunnel in Liverpool, England. (Eric The Fish (2012)/Flickr)
A previous runner of the Liverpool marathon, TheJournal.ie's own Hugh O'Connell, describes the toughest section of the 26 mile run.
One of the most difficult legs of the course was going through the tunnel. It runs for around 3.2 kilometres, which is just over two miles and is dark, damp and not very pleasing on the eye but then what underwater tunnels are?
The large enclosed space can start to feel isolated, as the noise generated by the outside world gradually fades away.
The first thing I noticed when I took the descent into it - literally descending down under the water - is that there was less noise than what I had just passed which was screaming crowds as people lined the streets to urge the runners on. There was lots of that on the streets of Birkenhead but once I was in the tunnel there was none of that as the noise slowly disappeared the further and further I got into the tunnel.
And let's not forget the dead air.
It felt like it went on forever, the end was never in sight and the air was dead, with no breeze, just the sound of panting and shoes hitting the ground and a few people talking to each other as they struggled through.
As I completed the first mile and went into the second I could see the light and yet it was so far away. It certainly felt a lot closer than it actually was and that second mile was definitely slower than the first one.
Maryland, USA
For those with more air miles than miles left in the tank, the Fort McHenry Tunnel awaits where, on 16 September, you can pop your tunnel running cherry in their five kilometre run/walk.
The Fort McHenry Tunnel, Baltimore, Maryland. (dbking/Flickr)
What has been your most extreme challenge (and no, extreme ironing doesn't count)?
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We need proper hospice care in the home for those who need or want it. Great service, but sadly not available to all, and heavily reliant on the goodwill of others.
True, but it’s much easier to raise money for a bricks and mortar hospice, which is not actually where most people would prefer to die. It’s very difficult to say such things where someone is asking for donations though.
My Mother passed away in Milford Hospice in Febuary. She wanted to die at home but storm damage meant she had to go to the hospice temporarily. Unfortunately she never made it back home and passed away the following week. After spending every day with her there I told my husband that if the same situation arises with me I would like to die there surrounded by my family not at home. We could never have provided her with the facilities and care she received. It was outstanding
Ah thats so sad about your mother Kate. I am so sorry
Our beloved brother who was only in his 40′s passed away in Milford Hospice. We had the same experience as ye had. His care was outstanding. After battling cancer he had a tough year and he was pain free to the very end. He felt loved and special and was spoilt rotten by the staff. They couldnt do enough for us either. The staff there are truly angels from Heaven. Very special place..
I would want to be at home when I die, nowhere else
Is there a simple answer to the question why?
I’d love to go peacefully in my sleep like my grandad……can’t say the same for the 37 people on his bus that day…..
My gran hated hospitals and wanted to die at home. In the end she ended up leaving her home unconcious to go to the hospital even though my aunt and mother did their damned best to care for her at home. In the 6 days in hospital she had great care that I couldnt fault. 2 nights before she died she woke up and chatted to my sister and me who were on duty that night. She thought she was in her own bed at home and thought we were visiting her. That was the last time she was awake so in her mind at least she was at home.
Its a terrible time to go through and I would encourage everyone to make their wishes known to their families and for their families to honour those wishes as best they can. Sometimes they dont work out as planned though.
Cheery stuff.
Can we not just enjoy the Friday feeling?
I’ll probably die of thirst if I can’t pay my water charges :)
Who’s going to vote “yes, I want to die in hospital, up to the eyes on medication”?
Yet another pointless story.
Niall, people dying in hospital are generally treated using the same palliative medication protocols as those at home. The difference is the setting, and the potential for well meaning but futile additional interventions.
Some people want to die in hospital to save their family from constantly remembering them sick and dying at home. That’s what I’d prefer, and I have experience of other family members saying the exact same thing. If I have to be heavily medicated for pain I’d rather do so in a hospital and give my family a choice of seeing me like that or not. It makes no difference to me if I’m that medicated but it may mean a massive easing of their pain in the months and years to follow my death.
I guess that the other quarter would rather just keep on living?
A parachute not opening… that’s a way to die. Getting caught in the gears of a combine… having your nuts bit off by a Laplander, that’s the way I wanna go…
I like the late Maurice Neligans response. He said that he wanted to die aged 97, shot by a jealous husband.
“though almost three-quarters have not written any kind of care directive or given an indication of what they want to family members”
Advanced Care Orders have little or no legal standing in Ireland due to the usual absence of any substantive legislation. While it can be useful to formulate a care plan in very carefully specified circumstances it is bizarre to even mention advanced directives in this general population survey.
If anyone is interested in such things this contains a brief summary:
http://www.medicalprotection.org/ireland/booklets/managing-the-risks-in-general-practice/advance-directives
Why was there a survey done about this in the first place ??? Pointless !!!!
NIt so pointless if you are near death
I spend quite a lot of my time working with older and dying patients, to them it’s act very important.
Typical Ireland, a story about how people want to die?
What about dying on the job?
How very convenient for the health service ,lets hope its not like” care in the community” which consists of assistance for 15 mins a day ,and your on your own for 23 hours 45 mins.its possible for some people ,it depends on their condition ,others need extensive care that can only be provided by hospitals or hospices.
have your say